JEZEBEL THE ANCIENT AND THE MODERN

Jezebel in scripture stands as a symbol of evil, and as such must be understood and all that she represents; should be rejected by Christian believers in our day. In order to understand the way that she works, the cunning that she uses, we need to look first at the ancient Jezebel.

We need to understand the power that motivated the ancient Jezebel was demonic, and though she died a shameful death, and did not receive any burial, yet the demon that was the power behind all of her actions did not die, and is very active today, in this second millennium.

It may help to read what Easton’s Bible Dictionary says about her.

THE ANCIENT JEZEBEL.

‘Chaste’, the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of the Zidonians, and the wife of Ahab, the king of Israel #1Ki 16:31 This was the "first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage with a heathen princess; and the alliance was in this case of a peculiarly disastrous kind. Jezebel has stamped her name on history as the representative of all that is designing, crafty, malicious, revengeful, and cruel. She is the first great instigator of persecution against the saints of God. Guided by no principle, restrained by no fear of either God or man, passionate in her attachment to her heathen worship, she spared no pains to maintain idolatry around her in all its splendour. Four hundred and fifty prophets ministered under her care to Baal, besides four hundred prophets of the groves [R.V., ‘prophets of the Asherah’], which ate at her table #1Ki 18:19 The idolatry, too, was of the most debased and sensual kind." Her conduct was in many respects very disastrous to the kingdom both of Israel and Judah #1Ki 21:1-29 At length she came to a shameful, but fitting end. As Jehu rode into the gates of Jezreel, she looked out at the window of the palace, and said, "Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?" He looked up and called to her chamberlains, who instantly threw her from the window, so that she was dashed in pieces on the street, and his horses trod her under their feet. She was immediately consumed by the dogs of the street #2Ki 9:7-37 according to the word of Elijah the Tishbite #1Ki 21:19 Her name afterwards came to be used as the synonym for a wicked woman #Re 2:20 It may be noted that she is said to have been the grand-aunt of Dido, the founder of Carthage.

Her daughter Athaliah, was a murderess like her mother, and did not hesitate to slay all the royal seed of Judah, and to seize the throne of David as her own. She too came to an ignominious end.

It should be noted that in spite of Easton’s comments above, Solomon also married the daughter of Pharoah, a foreign king, but that was before the division between the kingdom of Judah, and the kingdom of Israel, (The northern kingdom). Though Jezebel’s name means ‘chaste’ yet she was a most corrupt and immoral woman. However she would never have had the destructive power that she exercised had it not been that her husband Ahab was a spineless character that meekly submitted to the urgings of his wicked wife. (1Kings, 21:25-26.) This should be kept in our minds in view of comments that we may make later.

Jezebel was herself a priestess of the Asherah, and this Asherah, (or Astarte), was the female demon that was the consort of Baal. She loved all that was associated with the idolatry practiced in her place of birth. Israel was already pursuing the sinful idolatrous practices introduced by Jereboam, (who made Israel to sin).

To prevent Israel from going up to Jerusalem, (the place where God had chosen that His name should be) and to worship God according to His word; Jereboam set up two golden calves. He placed one in Bethel, (as near as he could to Jerusalem), and the other away in the North, in Dan, (as far away as he could get from Jerusalem). He knew that if the people of Israel continued to go to Jerusalem to worship God, as commanded in His word, that sooner or later they would turn back again to follow the son of David. Thus, he would lose his control over the people, and his kingdom also. The wicked kings of Israel clung to those sins, for their own selfish reasons.

It was bad enough for Ahab to do this, but was much worse for him to permit the establishment of the worship of Baal and the Asherah. This suited Jezebel very nicely, and she lavishly supported at least 850 priests and prophets, and gave them the honour of eating at the royal table.

You will find, that where what is idolatrous in character is introduced amongst God’s people, there will be plenty of those that will make the service of the Lord a business. They regard that service as a job, and require a stipend or wages etc. So we find today, even in the Assemblies that profess to follow the scriptures, that ‘Pastors’, and ‘Youth Pastors’, are appointed and paid wages. These grow fat at the expense of the congregation, and money that would once be used to support missionaries, and to spread the Gospel, is consumed by such persons. Thus under Jezebel’s influence priest-craft and professionalism in those who were paid to ‘lead in worship’ thrived.

She hated Jehovah, and had neither fear of, nor respect for Him, or for those that desired to serve Him. It seems that even amongst those that were sincere followers of the God of Israel, there were many that followed the whims of the day, and claimed to be (prophets of Jehovah). Jezebel persecuted these men, and slew large numbers of them. There was one real thorn in her side, and that was Elijah. Her husband Ahab feared this mighty prophet of God. She could not corrupt him, as she had done to others. He was not tempted by the luxuries that she liberally bestowed on those who submitted to her. He was a man of rugged self discipline, and one whose prayers had great power with God. He by his prayers had brought a terrible famine upon the northern kingdom of Israel, and then seemed to disappear.

However the wicked Jezebel just scoffed at this. She still maintained her support of her chosen ones, and her table was heavily laden with royal dainties every day. It did not matter to her that the common people suffered so severely every day. The famine continued for three and a half years, and a crisis point was reached. It seemed that even her luxurious and evil life style was threatened. The god that she worshipped was Baal, and he was supposed to be the god of the seasons. He was the one that sent the rain and the abundant seasons, (so she maintained). Yet she refused to acknowledge that it was the Mighty Jehovah that had closed the windows of heaven, thereby reducing the nation to poverty and crisis.

Elijah had disappeared, and though he was sought everywhere by Ahab, who could not find him; yet he was living all the time in the very territory that Jezebel came from. When Elijah did return, it seemed that he was in control of the nation, and that Ahab was his servant, and just did as Elijah told him.

The result of Elijah’s activity was; that representatives of the whole nation, were summoned to Mount Carmel. As well as eight hundred and fifty of Jezebel’s prophets. There a simple test proved the false, deceiving and powerless character of the whole system of Baal. Jehovah turned the hearts of His people back to Himself, and the eight hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the Asherah were slain. This angered the wicked queen greatly, and she sent a message to Elijah telling him that she was going to murder him, in the following twenty four hours.

Though Elijah was temporarily made afraid by her threats, yet after a time, he returned to trouble Ahab yet again. It is interesting to note that not once did Elijah send any message to Jezebel, or have any contact with her. The reason for this was perhaps, that she was a foreigner, and had no rights or responsibilities under the law of Jehovah. However poor Ahab did have such responsibilities, and it was to him that Elijah spoke.

So we have the story of faithful Naboth, in which we see both Ahab’s weakness, and Jezebel’s cunning.

Ahab, because of his position as King of Israel, had vast possessions, yet let his greedy eyes rest on the vineyard of Naboth. He wished to get control of this plot, and to change its character.

In the parable of Jotham, we are told about the vine, that it was humble and unpretentious, and produced rich fruit from which new wine was made, and this brought joy to the heart of God and man. Judges,9:13. Thus the result of Naboth’s cultivation brought joy to Naboth and his family, and brought joy to God’s heart also. But Ahab wished to turn it into a garden of herbs. These would be used to flavour the foods served on Jezebel’s table. Thus in the type, the produce would be used to minister to the lower sensual appetites, of all those that ate at her table.

However Naboth refused to part with the inheritance of his fathers. He considered that it was not his, to barter or trade away for any price or reward. No proposition that Ahab made would induce him to part with that precious inheritance.

There has been a concerted effort during these last twenty years or so, to get true believers to give up the heritage of truth that God had entrusted to them. That truth, those principles had been handed down to them, by faithful men. They were expected to profit from them, and had them undiminished to a later generation of ‘faithful men’. 2Tim. 2:1-2.

Ahab was frustrated thus, by Naboth’s refusal. He offered him a ‘better one’ in exchange for it, or else he offered to give him money. What could possibly be better than the inheritance that Jehovah had given him? To Naboth it was worth more than all the money that Ahab would give.

I think that we can see a parallel in the constant emphasis made by some on the matter of ‘change’ These changes that were called for, seemed only to be cosmetic in nature, a change of format in the meetings of the Church or Assembly. But those that have been foolish enough to bow to the pressure, have found that they have led to the destruction of what was for God’s glory in their Assemblies.

The meeting that had been so blessed of God; the meeting for worship and remembrance, has been changed into a second rate concert. Spontaneous worship has been restricted to fifteen minutes, and slowly the observance of remembrance at the Lord’s Supper has been pushed out altogether. Thus the vineyard has become a garden of herbs, to minister to the tastes and desires of the flesh. Some Churches have appointed a ‘worship team’. These stand on the platform and glory in the adulation of the congregation, while they proceed to grieve the Holy Spirit, and to rob the believers of their priceless privilege of their God given priesthood.

Ahab was temporarily frustrated in his intention, by the resolute faithfulness of Naboth, so he went home and sulked, refusing to eat. It was now time for the wicked Jezebel to use her wiles. Proudly she boasted, "I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth". So she set to work to execute her plan. First she must get the elders of the city under her control, either by coaxing, or by coercion. So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name. In Assemblies that gather to the Lord’s name, this is what has happened. Elders that had been the spiritual fathers in such Assemblies were either sacked, or made to leave the Assembly, in order to maintain a good conscience.

Then she made use of worthless men, men that were not afraid to tell lies about faithful Naboth. All this was done under the pretence of deep concern. They were to proclaim a fast, as if the whole thing was a legitimate godly, spiritual exercise. But purpose of it all, was first to assassinate Naboth’s character, and then to murder him.

There are unspiritual people in most Churches today that are quite willing to resort to such practices, in order to get rid of faithful men, and to make it more easy to get the Church to conform to the world, and to submit to the dictates of the modern Jezebel spirit.

So it was that her plot was carried through. The whole false ‘religious’ exercise took place. Naboth was temporarily exalted amongst the people. The elders of the city would have been aware of Naboth’s character, and his testimony, yet when the test came they remained dumb as to his defence. Two wicked men came in and testified falsely against him. They accused him of blaspheming God, (a thing that the wicked Jezebel probably did every day), ‘and the King’. There was no proof the Naboth did either. The only thing that he had done, was to refuse to give up, or exchange for something else, the inheritance of his fathers. The root cause of this trouble was that the will of the king was denied in a thing that was not right.

Thus though the elders knew that Naboth was not guilty of the things that he was accused of, yet they sacrificed the principles of justice, submitted to the will of Jezebel, and sanctioned the murder of Naboth and his sons. Though she thought that she had been successful, in her plot to remove Naboth and his sons, yet little did she know the fearful price that she, her husband and her sons, would pay later for her wickedness! The weak-kneed elders could be corrupted and manipulated, yet the mighty Jehovah, the judge of all the earth, could not be corrupted or manipulated, in His perfect time, justice would be done.

Triumphantly she told Ahab, "Arise take possession of the vineyard……..for Naboth is not alive but dead". So Ahab went down to take possession of Naboth’s inheritance.

The king then went down and was probably planning what he would do in future days. But while he was dreaming up his future plans, he was shocked to see the form of Elijah standing there. "Have you found me, O mine enemy?" he said to Elijah, who replied, "I have found thee, because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord, (Jehovah)". Moses said many years before, "Be sure your sin will find you out!" Num. 32:23.

Elijah then proceeded to reveal the awful consequences that would result from the evil plot of Jezebel, and the sin of Ahab. Though Ahab humbled himself and repented, and the judgment on his wife and family was deferred, yet within a short time, he was slain, and the dogs licked his blood at the pool of Samaria, (where the harlots bathed. Darby trans.) Let this stand as a warning to all that today would be corrupted by the modern Jezebel spirit!

The years rolled by, Ahab has been slain, as well as his son. Jezebel has witnessed the beginning of the outpouring of God’s righteous judgment. The executioner has put another of her sons to death, as well as her grandson, yet still the wicked woman remains defiantly firm in her love of idolatry, and her hatred of Jehovah. Jehu has come into Jezreel, and Jezebel’s end has come. Though probably old and haggard, because of her sinful life, she applies her cosmetics, in an attempt to make herself look young and attractive, and looks out from an upper window. She shouts down at Jehu, the executioner, who is standing in his chariot. She accuses him of being a murderer, a crime of which she was guilty many times over. She remains defiant to the end.

Several eunuchs looked out of a window nearby, and Jehu challenges them as to whether they were on his side. These men had been castrated by Jezebel, and made to work as personal slaves to her in the palace. They doubtless had suffered much under her tyranny. Now they had the opportunity to get revenge for all that cruelty, and they readily took it. They seized that vile woman, and cast her down headlong, and she struck her head, and splattered her blood on the palace wall as she fell. She would suffer many fractures when she crashed to the cobblestone street below. Jehu then drove his chariot over her broken body repeatedly, and what remained of her life was pounded out of her by the feet of his horses. Jehu then went up into the palace to celebrate his victory. He ate Jezebel’s food, and drank her wine, along with his friends, it was a real victory party. While so engaged, he remembered the body of the wretched woman that he had destroyed, and gave command for its burial, remembering that she was a king’s daughter. But those that went to obey that order, found that the street dogs had eaten her body, and all that remained of her was the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands. When they conveyed this information to Jehu, he recalled the words that God had spoken through Elijah. God’s word had been fulfilled to the very letter.

The ancient Jezebel had no tomb or monument erected in her memory. But she left an unenviable memory, and to this day her name is synonymous with much that is evil.

THE JEZEBEL OF REVELATION.

In His letter to the Church at Thyatira, the Lord Jesus details the things that He had against that Church. His first accusation was that they suffered ‘that woman Jezebel’. It will be argued by many, that the Jezebel mentioned here, was a wicked woman that lived in Thyatira. This could very well be true. However it is interesting to note that her name was the same as the Jezebel we have been looking at, also her ways were the same. It was her aim to corrupt those that the Lord calls, ‘My servants’, by seducing them, and teaching them. These are the very things that the ancient Jezebel did. I suggest that it was the activities of the very same demon that possessed that person. The physical person died, and was eaten by the street dogs, but the demon that inspired all her activities did not die. That demon was active in the Church at Thyatira, and I would suggest is active in society, and also in the Church today. So we will draw some parallels between the three in order to understand the character of the spirit of Jezebel that is active today.

"She calls herself Prophetess". This title is given to very few women in the Bible, yet this person does not hesitate to make such a claim for herself. There are plenty of such women about today. Some are bold enough to claim that the very words that come from their mouths, especially when they stand before a congregation, and behind a pulpit. The tragedy is that even men that once were faithful to God and His word, are seduced by this spirit, so that they have renounced the things that once they stood for. How sad!

This spirit teaches people to compromise, to lower their standards. Thus true chastity and morality is in sad decline today. Marital unfaithfulness is common today. Couples take a solemn vow in the presence of our Holy God, and many witnesses, but when the occasion suits, they are not afraid to break that vow, or covenant. Divorce that once was not even named amongst God’s people, is common today. Even though God says that He hates divorce. Mal. 2:16. What is worse is that those that sin in this way, continue to exercise a leading part in public ministry in the Church. It is common today for men that are divorced and re-married, to be ‘inducted’ as ‘Pastors’, into Churches, and even into Brethren Assemblies. ‘Shame’!

Thus the modern spirit of Jezebel, loves to make others like herself, immoral and profligate. Another thing that she teaches is to eat of things sacrificed to idols. In Western society, such a thing as idol worship was unknown for centuries. However today it is not uncommon to find Mosques and idol temples of one kind or another in different places. People that have migrated from Asian countries have brought these things with them.

But though Westerners may reject such things, yet they do have idols that they worship, and to which they offer a much greater devotion that Christian believers do to the cause of Christ and His testimony.

As an example, as I write the football season (in Australia), has just ended. It is not rare for crowds approaching ninety thousand to pay large sums to attend such football matches.. Even in the worst weather people will attend such things. But it is almost impossible to get then to attend a gospel meeting, even though the halls are warm and comfortable, and the seats padded. The sad thing is that those who call themselves ‘Christians’ will attend such games, though they could not trouble themselves to attend a meeting for prayer, or any other biblical purpose. Surely the spirit of Jezebel is at work!

Another of this worlds gods, is the god of entertainment. The spirit of Jezebel has been very successful in introducing this god into the Church also. Songs, acts, dramas, and the like have replaced true and godly worship. The worship of God in spirit and in truth, has been discarded by some Assemblies, and in others it has been restricted to fifteen minutes. The genuine Holy Spirit has been grieved and deprived of His place of leadership. If one was to enter what was formerly a Gospel Hall today, while no meeting is taking place, they could be forgiven for thinking that it was a dance hall. There is such an array of drums, music stands, instruments etc. It can be rightly claimed that the god of entertainment occupies the place that the Lord Jesus once was given in His Church!

One more activity that has accompanied idolatry, is that of dancing, and there are mighty efforts being made to introduce this into the Church also. Some seek to justify this activity, by referring to scriptures in the Old Testament, such as Exodus 15:29, 2Sam. 6:14 – 23, & Psalm 150:4. Let us look at these passages in detail.

Israel had been resident in Egypt for centuries. During this time, they had no Bible to direct them in their worship, or behaviour. (The law was given later through Moses.) It is obvious from subsequent events that they had been influenced by Egyptian pagan practices. This led them to coerce Aaron into making a golden calf, which they set up, and worshipped before it with playing or dancing. Thus we have no authority to take Miriam’s example as a pattern for Christian worship, or behavior. In any case Miriam’s dancing was with the women, and did not involve men, and there was possibly no body to body contact, that invariably awakens lust, and evil desires.

On the second occasion, David had already made the mistake of employing Philistine methods to bring up the ark to Jerusalem, with tragic results. On this occasion he was so happy that he went to shameful extremes, and indulged in shameful behavior before the Lord. God had given deffinate instructions as to how those that served Him as priests were to dress and behave. It is obvious from the remarks of Michal, that David had removed his clothes, and possibly had danced naked in the presence of other young women. When rebuked by his wife for his lewd conduct, he retaliated with bitterness, and in language that condemned himself.

Some infer that the fact that Michal had no child unto the day of her death, as a judgment from God. I think rather that it was because of David’s spite. It seems that he put her away, and that she lived in a state of perpetual widowhood until she died. This was not a judgment from God, but an injustice from David. It was an ill reward for her faithfulness. Perhaps she failed also, as it is said that she despised David in her heart, as she watched his lewd conduct. It was right for her to despise such conduct, but it was not right to despise David himself for his excess. It was after this event that David committed adultery with Bath Sheba, and had her husband, faithful Uriah murdered with the sword of the Ammonites. The way that he spoke to Michal, was not the same as the language he used in Psalm 51. In any case it is wrong for any child of God to try to use this event as a justification for the display of carnal excitement, or affections, in the supposed worship of God.

Worship to be pleasing to God, must be in spirit and in truth, not in fleshly excitement, or corrupt desires or affections.

The passage in Psalm 150 suggests that God’s end has been reached in this present creation, as it concludes with the concept of the whole creation, (everything that has breath), united in the praise of God. It is plain that the musical instruments mentioned there, are typical, and represent the variety of the work of the Divine Artisan. Some respond to the Divine touch, and produce the sweetest music. Others respond to the breath of God, while the simpler instruments respond musically when shaken. If this is so, it is also to be understood that the dance that is mentioned in verse four, is also to be understood in the same way. It is the expression of an unspeakable joy, not the display of corrupt emotions and desires. It is interesting to note that in Revelation chapters 4 & 5, where we are given a glimpse into heaven, there is no dancing there, but those that surround the throne fall on their faces before Him that sits on heaven’s throne, and before the Lamb.

Thus we may conclude that all such matters are the result of the influence and teaching of the Jezebel spirit.

This spirit began to be revived with the introduction of what is wrongly called the ‘Women’s Liberation Movement’. It was suddenly discovered by some corrupt people, that women have talents, and are as good as men, (even better than men). This has never been challenged by godly and thinking people. It is not a question of inferiority, or superiority, but the fact remains that God has made women different to men. Whether we like it or not, the scriptures clearly say, that the woman was made for the man, and not the man for the woman.(1Cor. 11:8-9.) However Jezebel was never content to be a helpmeet, but she wished to be in control. The Jezebel spirit is behind the present clamor of ungodly women for a prominent place in the public meetings of the Church. Holy Scripture denies such a place to women. 1Cor. 14:34-35, 1Tim. 2:9-15. Those men that submit to the current pressure to let the women take over, may in fact have been guilty of committing adultery with ‘that woman Jezebel’. Such may yet be brought into ‘great tribulation’, unless they repent of their deeds. The ‘children’ born as a result of such an evil and illicit relationship, will be killed with death, by Him who is the originator of true life. Rev. 2:22-23.

Let us heed the warning, and let those that have been deceived, and have yielded to the pressures and threats of the modern Jezebel, repent of their deeds. Let us remind ourselves that though it was the wicked Jezebel that urged the weak Ahab on to wickedness, yet he came under God’s judgment before she did. Elders and leaders are responsible, and they will have to answer to God for their actions, or their lack of action. There is a solemn verse in 1Cor. 3:17, and I will close with this, "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple are ye. May God’s Holy Name be glorified! C.E.Wigg.